A visit to Ghalib ki Haveli – Forgotten Gem of Delhi

I guess you all must have heard this famous line by Mirza Ghalib. This line means that there are many other poets worthy of praise but it is said that Ghalib has a distinctive style.
First of all to be honest I never liked Urdu poetry just because of those difficult Urdu words. But there is something about Urdu poetry that always attracts everyone.
Urdu words are so beautiful that no can resist himself from falling in love with Urdu. And the same happened to me. Well, call me old fashioned or boring but I find peace in poetry.

Now moving on to Mirza Asadullah khan or better known as Mirza Ghalib. Mirza Ghalib was born in December 1797 in Agra. His father was Mirza Abdullah beg. When Ghalib was 5 his father died. Then he lived with his uncle but he was 8 his uncle passed away.
He was married to Umrao Begum in 1810 at the age of 13. After his marriage, he soon left for Delhi where he lived until his death. He died in 1869.

Hidden on the lanes of Balli Maran in Chandani Chowk in Delhi, this Ghalib ki haveli is a 300-year-old forgotten gem of Delhi.
This haveli was gifted to Ghalib by an Hakim who was a great fan of his poetry.
Every evening he used to recite his poetry to a huge audience. After the death of Ghalib, the Hakim used to go and sit there for hours so that nobody can occupy it.
In 1964 the government took the possession of the haveli. But soon in an auction, it was given to Mohd. Ali Farooqi whose bid was the highest at that time of approx 23 lakhs.
Mohd. Farooqi then rented the haveli to the tenants. After a few years he and died and there was no legal heir of his property.
Since then the haveli was given to multiple people for different use. Even once it was a marriage hall.
But finally, in 1999 a part of the haveli was restored by Delhi Govt. Now the haveli is under the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI). The haveli is now serving as a museum.

About the Ghalib ki Haveli –
When you enter, on the right side there is a room with Ghalib’s statue his clothes and his wife’s clothes. On the walls, the posters tell about the life history of Ghalib.

Moving on to other room with a door the wall features a large fame Ghalib’s last ever taken photograph.
On the other side of the room, there are various pictures and portraits of Ghalib.

There is also a shelf which showcases a collection of Ghalib’s handwritten books letters translated couplets his utensils and a hookah.

This unexplored place in Delhi’s Chandani Chowk is a forgotten gem. But this place has something special. You should also visit this place once.